[JVBFTW]

Originally Posted by mocohead

OP what gas (brand and octane) do you use?

Have you noticed the car cranking a long time before starting in the morning?

I've noticed the cranking issue in the am, and got a drivetrain malfunction warning on Sunday. I shut the car off, then turned it back on and had no issue.

What does the cranking + this problem point to?

Car is a 2013 320i 6MT, with about 20k on it.

[gobears81]

This morning my 2013 328i F30 gave me the following error:
"Drivetrain malfunction: Drive moderately. Maximum drivetrain output not available. Consult service center."

Looking through this forum, it sounds like there could be multiple trips to the service center needed. I'm not looking forward to this!

[alpinewhite3]

Add another drive train malfunction story to the list- 2015 328i RWD April 2015 Build. Car is 2 weeks old.

Clearly, this issue has not been fixed or resolved yet. I was on the highway in Sport mode when I pushed down the accelerator to pass someone and suddenly lost all power and car started shuddering with check engine light flashing. Pulled over and re-started the car and everything went back to normal???

Should I still bring it in? Car feels normal now but like others have said without the error code flashing will they still be able to diagnose anything? I'm worried now that the car is permanently running on reduced power.

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by agent0986

Add another drive train malfunction story to the list- 2015 328i RWD April 2015 Build. Car is 2 weeks old.

Clearly, this issue has not been fixed or resolved yet. I was on the highway in Sport mode when I pushed down the accelerator to pass someone and suddenly lost all power and car started shuddering with check engine light flashing. Pulled over and re-started the car and everything went back to normal???

Should I still bring it in? Car feels normal now but like others have said without the error code flashing will they still be able to diagnose anything? I'm worried now that the car is permanently running on reduced power.

Ah crap..keep us posted...........

[ATLBlue]

Got the 'Drivetrain Malfunction' alert about once every 6 weeks:



I just feel a limitation of power (I'd say 50% of maximum output) and it happens in a very smooth manner. I can keep driving at 70+ mph and take my time to park and restart the engine. Everything gets back to normal with no error code to be found when checking through the OBDII port.

I could not find any logic to this (car not running hot, not at 100% throttle...) and I have not had an issue on the track or AutoX so far. I ran the car full out for a one hour long session at the track with 90F ambient temperature last week and it did perfectly fine

Since I am running a tune and exhaust, I am not asking the dealership to look into this but the issue does not bother me much either.

[Pauloxxi]

Now, it is 6700 miles, one year in service, and this the second missfire issue. This time towed to dealer. They found lot of coolant (green stuff) in the injectors and spark plug. Seems like head gasket blown off, but they are not yet sure. Car belongs to my wife, no abuse, no mods. Just frustrating and kind of ashamed for paying almost $40,000 for a unreliable piece of crap. This is my third BMW, I'm feeling the ultimate driving machine translates as final, no more, end, last one.
By the way, because the crap broke more than 100 miles and out of state, they gave me a rental car, an economic one, a KIA RIO, and they don't know yet when I should get my car back. I think I don't need to say anything more.

[tsakhan]

Driving down the freeway and all of the sudden engine gives out and car goes into "limp mode" cruise control was set at 76 MPH and suddenly it goes to 60 MPH, I almost got rear ended by another vehicle as I had no control over the vehicle power. Vehicle continues to drive but does not go over 60 MPH, shudders and shakes the acceleration is very mild to put it lightly.

My car is a 2014 328i M Sport - no mods except for MPE. This is the 3rd time its happened but previously it was fixed by simple restart, but not this time. I only have 12k miles on the car. Possible recall by BMW NA? I've submitted a complaint via NHTSA and BBB. Will speak with a Lawyer next week.

Any others have any inputs? What did you guys do? or are you guys just living with it? I am very worried as this is my first BMW and will surely be my last BMW. This type of reliability from a car stickered at $48k ?!?! insane.

[uwfshane]

I've had my CPO 550i for 8 days now and have experienced the "Drivetrain Malfunction" warning twice. The first time was leaving a parking garage at the airport, and then this morning when my wife and I were leaving the neighborhood to do some shopping. I've read a few instances where this warning was caused by a low batter charge...so I hope in my case its just because the car has been sitting a lot lately without the engine running (it's been on the dealership lot for a bit, and then it spent a few more days in airport parking while I was traveling). I'm taking it in to the service center early this week, hopefully they can narrow down the issue.

[Straight6Driver]

Originally Posted by elborhamy

after 3 days of diagnosis, the problem is in turbo Intake solenoid valve (not exhaust) which jamming and stuck (as they described the problem), but the valve not in stock, it will arrive from Germany in 10 Days, the dealership found no problem in moving the car (They told me that it may just decrease the performance a little bit and will not harm the engine by any way), i'll keep you informed.

Can I just confirm what exactly is "intake solenoid valve" in BMW terms?

Is it DV/BOV?

[elborhamy]

Originally Posted by Straight6Driver

Can I just confirm what exactly is "intake solenoid valve" in BMW terms?

Is it DV/BOV?

Sorry, but i'm not specialist
As i understood the "intake solenoid valve" is an electrically operated on/off valve located on the intake of the turbo to operate it (the turbo as i understood not working all the time, it works when the "intake solenoid is energised").
there is another solenoid valve located at the exhaust side which causes the sound of "BSSSS" when you suddenly up ur foot from accelerator pedal at high rmp to vent the air compressed in the turbo
sorry again its all my info

[adew]

im kind of scared to pick one up now....

[t335xi]

I've probably said it before ... but this error code is a catch all for a variety of issues. I doubt that there's much of a common denominator here other than a visit to the service dept to see what is actually going on.

[mbanks21]

Just got my error this morning. Car still drove but you can def feel a lack of power. 2015 335i, first owner, only ~5k miles. Hoping to drop it off today or tomorrow at the stealer

[Dang3r]

I had this after 14000km, it starts slowly when I'd started to overtake it seems, like the gearselector has to think over which gear to set and this took at least up to 4 secs. In order to stop the overtake maneuvres, I'd set to sport and pulled the trigger more hard. That was not a really solution, but helped at faster and more sporty driving.
At least I'd ended up at the dealer with the displayed error message and he fixed it with a software update of whatever.
Since that everything is fine and it was on warranty, also f.o.c. for me.

[spiff56747]

I had this come on - dealer said software needed to be updated. So far so good knock on wood.

[mbanks21]

Mine had something to do with the turbo air temp sensor

[jlaurie]

new built 2016 435 conv. first few hundred mile drive. was 100deg out and dry in desert. most of trip on eco plus with adaptive cruise on. after short stop and resume it happened. turned off and drivetrain malfx went off but engine light stayed on. only a few short shudders noted few days than on way back, same temp, same place in opposite direction, occured again while driving. same reset ok. engine light stays on entire time. to see service today. 900 miles on car.

seems like when its cruising at 70 or 80 around 1700 to 2000 rpm level or downhill and than must accellerate and should drop gear (automatic) from 8 to 7 (7 to 6?) that's when it seems to occ give the shudder like it's not catching or downshiffting . If I lightly repetively goose lightly and repetively a few time a little it seems I've aborted the condition a few times when it felt like it was going to start shuddering . feels like it should downshift but it doesn't quick enough or something like that?

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by YMB_M4_j2

this has happened to my car 4 times now. Its a cylinder misfire that causes that error. It could either be a spark plug, coil pack or injector. The dealer has replaced the coil packs and spark plugs but it continues to happen. BMWNA is involved now and they have no idea what to do fix it. They have updated software as well with no luck. Im one step away from filing a lemon law suit for it.

What's the year and model of your car? N55 engine by any chance?

[Pauleebe]

I had this error on My F30 with the N20 and they had to replace two injectors. The lease is up soon but shocking this happened under 3 years and 25K miles.

[AustinPowersX]

I have received my first Drivetrain Malfunction on Memorial Day weekend 2019. I took my car into BMW Service in Port Chester, NY and they could not find any issues. Then I took it into Service in BMW Bridgeport and they couldn't find any issues.

When the Drivetrain Malfunction comes on, the Engine light does not, so I am worried, but not scared.

However, this weekend, the error appeared three times: twice on Sunday and another time this morning driving to work. It happens each time I try to accelerate.

I took it into BMW Westchester and they said that they didn't see anything leaking, spark plugs, engine, transmission, fuel injector looks good.

They finally said that the light may be coming on due to vacuum hose (???) or Air filter as the car may be taking in too much air. They want to perform a steam test on the car?

Does this sound weird to you guys? Has something like this ever happened before to anyone on the forum?

I have tried researching this on the internet and Youtube and could not find anything.

[dberry08]

I want to join in the fun. Had the Drivetrain Malfunction light come on after a few hard highway pulls a few weeks ago. Restarted the car and it hasn't happened since. However, when I fill up the car (and the entire garage) has a strong fuel smell. It goes away after I use about a quarter of a tank. Warranty literally just ended the week before so I haven't messed with it yet (86K miles).

[blissdev]

Just had this happen to me in a 2013 335xi M-Sport. Was driving on the freeway in Sport Mode, nothing too spirited, going about 70 just stepped in the gas to pass someone. Just bought it, very disappointing. Hoping it’s just spark plugs or coils. When I started it back up it seems to be ok.